Newsletter: IAMC Annual Retreat, Journalism Awards Ceremony, and more
As salamu alaykum,
September was a month of reconnecting with our community, rejuvenating our commitment to grassroots organizing, and showing support to brave journalists who are risking their lives to report the stories of people in the margins.
BULLET POINT SUMMARY:
- IAMC hosted our Annual Retreat in Chicago, with chapter representatives attending from across the country
- Hosted the 4th annual Human Rights and Religious Freedom Journalism (HRRF) Awards Ceremony
- Began collecting applications for the HRRF Grant Program for journalists
- Released statements on the denial of bail to several Indian Muslim human rights activists, as well as on the crackdown on Muslims expressing their love for Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
- And more!
Keep scrolling to learn more about each of these achievements in detail.
IAMC ANNUAL RETREAT
IAMC’s Annual Retreat was a jam-packed two-day affair hosted by our dedicated volunteers in the Chicago chapter. Our volunteers, staff, and interns flew out from all over the country to engage in brainstorming, feedback sessions, team-building exercises, and workshops on how to be more effective advocates for the Indian Muslim cause.
We are grateful to every passionate volunteer who joined us to make this event a smashing success!
HUMAN RIGHTS AND RELIGIOUS FREEDOM JOURNALISM AWARDS CEREMONY
As part of our Annual Retreat’s closing banquet, we hosted the fourth annual Human Rights and Religious Freedom (or HRRF) Journalism Awards. HRRF was founded in 2021 as a way to recognize and highlight stories that shed light on the challenges faced by the communities undergoing immense persecution.
This year, we recognized journalists across six different categories – best English language reporting, best Hindu language reporting, best video story, best story on human solidarity, and the HRRF Young Journalist of the Year Award 2025. These stories covered a range of heavy and heartfelt topics, from fake police encounters against Muslims in Haryana to the pluralistic experience of a Muharram procession in Karnataka. We were also joined by award-winning journalist Zeba Warsi as our keynote speaker.
You can read these stories and also see the work of past winners here.
HRRF GRANT PROGRAM FOR JOURNALISTS
IAMC opened submissions for the 2025 HRRF Journalism Grant Program. The program offers grants to independent journalists pursuing in-depth stories that highlight urgent human rights and religious freedom issues in India and across its global diaspora.
If you’re a journalist, you can apply now here.
WHAT WE HAVE TO SAY ON…
We released a statement decrying the recent denial of bail to several prominent human rights defenders, including Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, and seven other activists in a blatant move to punish the activists for speaking out against government repression.
We also strongly condemned the alarming wave of police crackdowns across India targeting Muslims for peacefully expressing their reverence for Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Read our full press release here.
UPCOMING FUNDRAISERS
Over the next couple of months, our chapters will be holding fundraising events nationwide to support the fight against Hindutva in the US and India. We’re looking forward to a host of brilliant guest speakers, inspiring addresses, and of course, great food.
We encourage you to come out and join us in supporting our community. Find out when your local chapter’s fundraiser is by contacting amin@iamc.com.
CHAPTER ACTIVITIES
This month, our chapters demonstrated their passion and commitment to the cause during our Annual Retreat, but the work didn’t stop there. Here’s what our volunteers have been up to nationwide.
Boston
- Sent chapter representatives to the IAMC Annual Retreat
- Announced the Boston Chapter’s Annual Fundraiser, which will be held on November 1.
Chicago
- Played a pivotal role in hosting the IAMC Annual Retreat, from venue setup to food to accommodations for out-of-town volunteers
- Attended networking event held by the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago (CIOGC), where chapter leaders informed the gathering of 73 nonprofit organization presidents about the threat of Hindutva
- Sponsored, organized, and promoted the first-ever Constitution Day celebration, bringing together more than 100 community members in a powerful show of unity and civic engagement
- Held a 4-hour in-person meeting to debrief the retreat, discuss chapter projects, and outline the roadmap ahead
- Announced Chicago Chapter fundraiser on November 1st
Dallas
- Announced Dallas Chapter fundraiser on October 19
- Began plans for an IAMC Annual Coalition Summit: Combating Religious Nationalism event on the 25th of November with about 40-50 coalition partners
New Jersey
- Held an IAMC Awareness Session was arranged for the North Jersey community
- Announced a Lunch & Learn event on October 25th, featuring a pre-screening of the documentary Saffron Kingdom.
Want to get involved with your local chapter? Reach out to amin@iamc.com to get connected.
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